Multidirectional barcode reader

ABSTRACT

In a device for access control, the authorizations are stored on tickets in the form of a barcode. A reader unit is connected to an evaluating unit and controls signalling means and/or blocking means for an access.  
     The reader unit is provided with an insertion zone for the ticket which is larger than the ticket format per se and comprises a multidirectional laser scanner which through a window scans the entire insertion zone for tickets in several lines standing at an angle with respect to another.  
     Tickets in different formats can thus be used, especially such in the format of air-travel tickets and such in the format of check cards.

[0001] The invention relates to a device for access control, with authorisations being stored on a ticket in form of a barcode, with a reader unit which is connected to an evaluation unit which optionally triggers signalling means and/or blocking means for an access.

[0002] Devices for the access control of persons have become known for ski-lifts and cable cars as well as for other places with public access. Such devices are also used in buildings whose access is reserved to a certain circle of persons. Usually, access is organised in form of access tracks which allow the passage of one person each. Within such access tracks there is a blocking apparatus which is frequently arranged as a pivot barrier. The pivot barrier is released after the performed check of the access authorisation.

[0003] The known systems mostly use tickets in the cheque-card format, with a barcode being printed on one of the narrow sides of the ticket which contains the access authorisation information. This ticket must be inserted with the barcode facing forward into the card orifice of the reader unit. Within the card orifice there is disposed a barcode scanner which scans a list rectangularly to the direction of insertion. If during the inserting process the barcode is read by the scanner, the information can be evaluated and, depending on the same, a signal can be issued.

[0004] Reader units have also become known which are provided with a motive draw-in for the ticket. In this case barcodes are used which are printed on the tickets in the longitudinal direction of the ticket and are read by means of laser diodes.

[0005] The invention has the object of avoiding the disadvantage of the known systems in that the insertion of the ticket is very difficult and time-consuming. In order to secure a reliable reading of the barcode, the card orifice must correspond very precisely to the dimensions of the ticket in the known systems. It is accordingly difficult to meet the insertion slot. Moreover, the invention is based on the finding that the possibility of using different ticket formats substantially facilitates the application of automatic access controls.

[0006] The invention provides that the reader unit is provided with an insertion zone for tickets which is dimensioned larger than the ticket format and that the reader unit comprises a multidirectional laser scanner which scans through a window the entire insertion zone in several lines which stand at an angle to one another.

[0007] Such an arrangement allows especially using tickets both in the format of air-travel tickets as well as such in the format of cheque cards when the insertion zone is arranged as a V-shaped card orifice with a clearance of more than 80 millimeters. If the insertion zone is arranged as V-shaped card orifice which is provided in the upper enclosing wall with a transparent window and if a multidirectional laser scanner is arranged above said window, the barcode will also be read independent of the ticket's position in the case that the ticket is positioned in an inclined manner.

[0008] When the pivot barrier is provided in the known manner with two blocking means which form on either side of the pivot barrier an access each, the first reader unit can be used for entrance access and a second reader unit for exit purposes.

[0009] The invention is now explained in closer detail by reference to the following embodiment.

[0010]FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the reader unit. The insertion zone 1 for tickets is arranged as a largely dimensioned card orifice 7 with a V-shaped cross section. A window 4 is formed in the upper wall of the card orifice 7. A multidirectional laser scanner 3 is arranged above said window 4.

[0011]FIG. 2 shows the front view of said reader unit. A signal lamp 8 is disposed above the card orifice 7, which light symbolises the release or blockage of the access. A sensor 9 for recognizing fingerprints is incorporated in the lower wall of card orifice 7.

[0012]FIG. 4 explains the function of the reader unit. One recognises that the card orifice 7 is also provided with a V-shaped arrangement in the insertion zone of the tickets 2. The laser scanner 3 scans the entire insertion zone for tickets 2 in several lines 10, with the lines 10 extending rectangularly to the direction of insertion 5 and at an acute angle thereto.

[0013] A barcode present on tickets 2 can be read reliably, irrespective of whether the ticket 2, 2′ is positioned straight or inclined and whether the ticket fills out the insertion zone or is substantially smaller than the same.

[0014]FIG. 3 shows a pivot barrier 2 as it is used with the reader unit for example. When a person with access authorisation holds his or her ticket into the insertion zone, the barcode is read immediately and irrespective of the position of the ticket 2. No special requirements are placed on the ticket 2, neither concerning the material nor concerning the format. Tickets in the format of an air-travel ticket as well as such of cheque-card format can be used with ease. Even tickets of normal paper as are used today for mere visual check can be processed by this system.

[0015] This is particularly advantageous when automatic access control systems are to be combined with classical prepaid networks. Thus it is possible to issue a normal paper ticket by the ticket issuer without any special technical requirements, with a reservation number in form of a barcode being printed on said ticket. This number is then transferred to an evaluation unit and is used as a deciding criterion for the access once the ticket-holder inserts his or her ticket into the insertion zone.

[0016] Since the insertion zone is dimensioned relatively generously, a sensor 9 for a fingerprint can be integrated in the lower wall of the card orifice. An identity check can thus be enabled when the evaluating unit has information on the fingerprint.,

[0017] Furthermore, the lower wall of the card orifice 7 can be provided with mirrors. This allows reading tickets with a downwardly facing barcode. 

1. A device for access control, with authorisations being stored on tickets in the form of a barcode, with a reader unit which is connected with an evaluating unit which optionally triggers signalling means and/or blocking means for an access, characterised in that the reader unit is provided with a insertion zone (1) for tickets (2) which is larger than the ticket format, the reader unit comprises a multidirectional laser scanner (3) which scans through a window (4) the entire insertion zone in several lines standing at an angle to one another.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the insertion zone is arranged as a V-shaped or U-shaped card orifice (7) with a clearance (W) of more than 80 mm.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the insertion zone is arranged as a V-shaped or U-shaped card orifice which is provided with a transparent window (4) in the upwardly enclosing wall and that a multidirectional laser scanner (3) is disposed above said window (4).
 4. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the insertion zone is arranged as a V-shaped or U-shaped card orifice and that a fingerprint sensor (9) is incorporated in the lower wall of the card orifice.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the insertion zone is arranged as a V-shaped or U-shaped card orifice which is provided with a transparent window (4) in the upwardly enclosing wall and that a multidirectional laser scanner (3) is disposed above said window (4) and that the lower wall of the card orifice is provided with mirrors.
 6. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the laser scanner (3) scans the insertion zone (1) in several lines (10) at a right angle to the direction of insertion (5) of the tickets (2).
 7. A device as claimed in claim 3 or 6, characterized in that the laser scanner (3) scans the insertion zone (1) in several lines (10) standing at an angle with respect to one another.
 8. A device as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the reader unit is arranged as a module which is fastened to a pivot barrier (6) after the pivot as seen in the direction of passage.
 9. A device as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the pivot barrier is provided in the known manner with two blocking means which form an access each on either side of the pivot barrier and that a first reader unit is disposed for entrance access and a second reader unit for exit access. 